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Computer Use & Your Eyes
We're all more likely than ever to spend increasingly long periods staring at a PC screen. Many people now have laptops and this has led to almost incessant use, both at work and home, due to the increase in activities that can be performed from a computer with internet connection i.e. online shopping, communication and socialising to name a few.
An accurate observation is that a high amount of us spend our days looking at computer displays.
I’m not a doom merchant; I use computers just as much as any other individual. After a particularly long session hunched over my laptop however I do occasionally imagine the distant echo of my mother's disapproving voice nagging about 'square eyes'. A matter that should worry most of us who use computers to this extent is: What are the effects of watching a computer monitor for hours on end?
Well, while there are unlikely to be any long term unpleasant problems, computer linked eye-strain is an increasingly routine condition. The symptoms will doubtless be recognisable to many of you: sore, tired, burning eyes, blurred vision, headache, after images when you look away for the monitor, light sensitivity and dry eyes. The frustration is that however much your eyes are suffering, stopping work and giving your eyes a sustained rest might not be an option, particularly if you're doing something important that relies on using a computer.
Below are some tips to help decrease the strain on your eyes:
Give your eyes an occasional break - Over the course of a day in front of the PC give your eyes something to focus on other than the monitor. Focus on something in the distance out of the window for instance.
Non-PC work - A large number of of us will have work to do that can be done without a PC; try to set aside this work and do it when your eyes need an interval from the PC monitor.
Correct Seating - In short, you should sit around arms length from the display with your eyes level with the top of the display. Change the font size or screen resolution if you have difficulty reading the fonts from the correct distance.
Blinking - While using a PC intensively you will realise you blink less often than usual. Make certain you blink consciously every so often to inhibit your eyes from drying. If you have significantly dry eyes you can always try eye drop known as “artificial tears” (these can be found online at sites such as Vision Direct Online Contact Lenses).
Make sure your lenses are right - If you wear glasses or contact lenses. Check they aren't contributing to your discomfort. A large number of contact wearers in particular find dry eyes can become a difficulty when spending increasingly long periods at the computer. Try more hydrating one day lenses, there are contacts obtainable with additional moisture-rich ingredients that should help keep your eyes moist and comfortable (1 day Acuvue Moist are often recommended - again you can find them at Vision Direct Contact Lenses). You can also get glasses specifically for computer work (find out more at All About Vision).
Even with this advice you should still consult a doctor or optician if you decide to change your latest solution or your symptoms are very serious.
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